A new pathway to internal ratings-based accreditation
This page contains relevant information regarding APRA’s consultation on a new, more flexible pathway to achieve internal ratings-based (IRB) accreditation for medium-sized ADIs.
June 2026
On 4 June 2026, APRA released a letter that responds to submissions to its consultation on a new pathway to IRB accreditation. The letter confirms APRA’s intention to proceed with the changes, which will make IRB accreditation more attainable for medium-sized banks.
The response to submissions letter, final prudential standard and prudential practice guide, and non-confidential submissions are available below.
Media release
APRA finalises new IRB accreditation pathway for banks
Response letter
Finalising the new pathway to internal ratings-based accreditation
Final prudential standard
Final prudential practice guide
Submissions
October 2025
On 23 October 2025, APRA released a consultation paper outlining proposals to introduce a new, more flexible pathway to IRB accreditation. In combination, APRA considers the proposals will reduce some barriers to IRB accreditation for medium-sized ADIs while maintaining the ultimate integrity of the IRB approach.
APRA invites written submissions in response to the consultation paper by 19 December 2025.
The consultation paper, draft prudential standard and practice guide are available below.
Media release
APRA proposes more accessible pathway to IRB accreditation for banks.
Consultation paper
A new pathway to internal ratings-based (IRB) accreditation for medium-sized ADIs
Draft prudential standard and practice guide
Note on submissions
It is APRA's policy to publish all submissions on the APRA website unless the respondent specifically tells APRA in writing that all or part of the submission is to remain confidential. An automatically generated confidentiality statement in an email does not satisfy this purpose. If you would like only part of your submission to be confidential, you should provide this information marked as 'confidential' in a separate attachment.
Submissions may be the subject of a request for access made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOIA). APRA will determine such requests, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the FOIA. Information in the submission about any APRA-regulated entity that is not in the public domain and that is identified as confidential will be protected by section 56 of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998 and will therefore be exempt from production under the FOIA.